Over the past century, The Walt Disney Company has captivated audiences with innovation, creativity, and unparalleled storytelling. What truly distinguishes Disney is its unique synergy of artistry and technology, which brings stories to life for people worldwide. This remarkable combination will be highlighted at SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas, on Saturday.
Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, and Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, will present “The Future of World-Building at Disney.” This featured session promises an inside look at the convergence of imagination, innovation, and the future of experiential storytelling within Disney. It aims to reveal how this approach not only sets Disney apart but also connects the company’s legacy, present endeavors, and future aspirations.
Viewers can watch “The Future of World-Building at Disney” session on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET via a livestream on SXSW’s YouTube channel. In anticipation of the event, D’Amaro and Bergman shared insights into Disney’s participation in SXSW, the interplay between innovation and storytelling, and the factors that contribute to the enduring appeal of Disney’s narratives.
When questioned about Disney’s presence at a technology-focused conference like SXSW, considering its perceived identity as an entertainment company, D’Amaro responded:
“Innovation is a fundamental principle of our company, a tradition spanning over 100 years. We utilize—and invent—cutting-edge technology to bring our stories to life in captivating ways.
From robotics and ride vehicles to the media rendering in our attractions, technology is an integral part of our operations. Therefore, it’s logical for us to share that narrative at SXSW, showcasing how we use technology to deliver experiences our guests can only dream of.” Indeed, in a world where captivating stories can be quickly forgotten, Disney’s narratives have stood the test of time. Bergman elaborated on how the interaction between the studios and the theme parks makes Disney’s stories so enduring:
“Our success begins with exceptional storytelling, and we are fortunate to have the very best storytellers throughout Disney. A significant reason why our storytelling endures is the ability for people to experience our stories in countless ways—from our movies and TV shows to our parks, cruise ships, and merchandise.
These experiences are meaningful and can be shared across generations. At the core of it all is creative collaboration that is built into how we operate. The first Imagineers were actually drawn from Walt’s filmmaking team, and they developed many attractions based on films like Snow White, Peter Pan, and Dumbo that are still beloved today.”
When asked how the synergy between on-screen storytelling and experiential storytelling is uniquely Disney’s domain, D’Amaro explained:
“One of our company’s core strengths is the incredible collection of storytellers we have under one roof. All of them work together to make imagined worlds feel real.
These stories take many forms—from movies and TV to parks, cruise ships, and consumer products—and that’s what makes Disney so special. Our storytellers collaborate across disciplines to bring our characters to life in new ways. Because a Disney story doesn’t end when the credits roll or when you walk out the park’s front gate, they keep growing and evolving.”
Bergman addressed the most crucial aspect of the relationship between artistry and technology:
“Since Disney was founded, it has been driven by bringing art and technology together.
That’s put us at the forefront of many advancements, from Walt’s early shorts and the first animated feature, Snow White, to the many innovations in production technology and animatronics from our teams across the company including ILM, Pixar, and Imagineering. We view technology as an essential tool that makes us better storytellers and helps us create more immersive and compelling entertainment experiences. It’s especially helpful to have artists who understand technology and vice versa, and we’re lucky to have incredibly talented people like that who can also collaborate really well together.”
When discussing Disney Experiences’ role in fueling innovative storytelling at the Studios, D’Amaro noted:
“Storytellers across our company are constantly spurring one another on to do great work. We’ve seen classic park attractions inspire major motion pictures — Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion and the Jungle Cruise, just to name a few.
And it goes deeper than that. Because Imagineers work so closely with our studios, our filmmakers are often excited to explore how their worlds might translate into immersive experiences for our guests.”
Finally, Bergman detailed how storytelling at the Studios fuels innovations at Disney Experiences:
“They go hand in hand, and you see that every time you step into one of the parks. The influence of the films has been there since the beginning and has grown as the company has grown.
Our studio’s creative teams build incredible worlds, and Disney Experiences takes those worlds and brings them to life, allowing guests to become part of the adventure. And in some cases, like with Pirates of the Caribbean, it can even go the other way.
Not to mention that many of the creative leaders and storytellers at the Studio are huge Disney Parks fans themselves. So the teams draw inspiration from one another and we ensure that we maintain close connections throughout the storytelling process and in how we bring those stories to life in the parks and elsewhere.”
